The number of large slates left this season is dwindling with each passing day. Take advantage of these big slates on FanDuel while you still can, as we will soon be into the playoffs where there are only two or three games each night.
Tonight’s slate should be a fun one, as there is a lot on the line for a lot of these teams. Here are my favorite targets for tonight, as well as my top value play at each position.
Point Guard
Damian Lillard vs. Sacramento Kings
Salary $8,500
TO-Adjusted Usage Rate -- Season: 27.8 | Last Five Games: 26.9
Min/Game -- Season: 36.0 | Last Five Games: 37.6
FP/Game -- Season: 40.1 | Last Five Games: 38.9
Lillard is just too cheap on FanDuel. His production has been down over his last five games, but he is still averaging 38.9 fantasy points during that stretch. He draws an elite matchup tonight at home against the Kings. Sacramento plays at the fastest pace of any team in the NBA this season and they have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to point guards.
Ricky Rubio vs. Phoenix Suns
Salary $7,300
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 16.5 | Last Five Games: 17.1
Min/Game -- Season: 30.9 | Last Five Games: 33.3
FP/Game -- Season: 30.8 | Last Five Games: 35.5
Rubio has been a little boom or bust recently, but is cash game playable tonight against the Suns. Phoenix has arguably had the worst defensive backcourt in the NBA this season, as they are ranked 29th against point guards and 30th against shooting guards. Rubio provides a ton of upside at a price of only $7,300.
Value Option: J.J. Barea $4,000
Shooting Guard
Devin Booker vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary $6,600
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 18.8 | Last Five Games: 25.3
Min/Game -- Season: 26.7 | Last Five Games: 35.5
FP/Game -- Season: 19.3 | Last Five Games: 34.4
Booker continues to impress in his rookie season. He is playing his best basketball down the stretch, as he is averaging 34.4 fantasy points over his last five games. During that stretch, he has an elite TO-adjusted usage rate of 25.3. He should have another nice outing tonight against the Wolves, who are ranked 22nd against shooting guards this season.
Zach LaVine vs. Phoenix Suns
Salary $6,100
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 20.4 | Last Five Games: 16.3
Min/Game -- Season: 27.6 | Last Five Games: 39.8
FP/Game -- Season: 22.3 | Last Five Games: 25.7
LaVine is coming off of a dud against the Jazz, but we should be quick to forgive, as very few players end up reaching value against Utah. LaVine should bounce back nicely tonight against the Suns, who are ranked dead last against shooting guards this season. The best part about LaVine is that he is playing almost as many minutes as any player in the NBA, averaging 39.8 over his last five games.
Value Option: Wesley Matthews: $4,400
Small Forward
Carmelo Anthony vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Salary $8,700
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 25.5 | Last Five Games: 25.7
Min/Game -- Season: 35.6 | Last Five Games: 38.3
FP/Game -- Season: 38.2 | Last Five Games: 37.8
Small forward is a thin position yet again. Anthony stands out as a strong play, as he draws a terrific matchup against the Pelicans, who are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA this season. Anthony also comes into this game in great form, averaging 37.8 fantasy points over his last five outings.
Andrew Wiggins vs. Phoenix Suns
Salary $6,600
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 22.7 | Last Five Games: 19.7
Min/Game -- Season: 35.2 | Last Five Games: 39.0
FP/Game -- Season: 28.9 | Last Five Games: 30.8
Like Zach LaVine, Wiggins struggled against the Jazz the other night. We shouldn’t let that affect our judgment tonight though, as he has otherwise been in solid form. His price has come up a bit on FanDuel, but dollar for dollar, he is one of the top plays at small forward. Tonight’s game against the Suns should be a goldmine for fantasy production.
Value Option: P.J. Tucker: $4,800
Power Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Salary $8,000
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 22.0 | Last Five Games: 23.5
Min/Game -- Season: 30.5 | Last Five Games: 32.7
FP/Game -- Season: 32.1 | Last Five Games: 39.5
Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan have all been ruled out of tonight’s game. Aldridge should see a major boost in usage tonight against the Grizzlies. Leonard put up 59 fantasy points against this same team last week. While we shouldn’t expect a repeat performance, he is an excellent play in all league formats.
Kristaps Porzingis vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Salary $6,700
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 20.5 | Last Five Games: 20.5
Min/Game -- Season: 28.3 | Last Five Games: 36.0
FP/Game -- Season: 28.2 | Last Five Games: 33.2
The day has finally come when we can actually project Porzingis to play 35+ minutes. The Knicks have finally figured out that since they have nothing to play for, they might as well develop their young talent. Porzingis comes into tonight’s game in great form, averaging 33.2 fantasy points over his last five games.
Value Option: Willie Cauley-Stein: $3,900
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Phoenix Suns
Salary $8,900
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 20.2 | Last Five Games: 21.8
Min/Game -- Season: 31.7 | Last Five Games: 37.9
FP/Game -- Season: 36.0 | Last Five Games: 43.9
Even though DeMarcus Cousins is now expected to play tonight, I still have Towns ranked as my favorite center play on FanDuel. He has been terrific over his last five games, averaging 43.9 fantasy points in just under 38 minutes per contest. He also draws a nice matchup against the Suns, who are 26th against centers over the last three weeks.
Value Option: Mason Plumlee: $5,300
Note: This is not meant to be a full lineup. The picks are my favorite targets at each position.